Education:

Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois
      B.S.     Mathematics/Economics
      M.S.    Information Processing Science

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
      Graduate Work in Educational Research

The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
      EDPA  Fellow in Community College Leadership
      Ph.D.   Education Administration

Employment:

Texas State University – San Marcos, San Marcos, Texas

Associate Director, Rive Systems Institute 2004 - Present

Provide leadership in efforts of the Institute to create an interdisciplinary and dynamic approach to the development, analysis, promotion, and facilitation of holistic management of river systems.

Special Assistant to the President 2001 – 2004

Provided leadership to the areas of Institutional Effectiveness, Legal Affairs, Equity and Access; monitored presidential assignments to vice presidents; completed special projects assigned by the President

Executive Vice President 1989 – 2001

Provided leadership to the areas of Athletics, Affirmative Action, Computing Services, Internal Audit, Legal Affairs, Planning and Institutional Research, and University Policy; monitored presidential assignments to vice presidents; completed special projects assigned by the President including the coordination of negotiations for acquisition of Aquarena Springs and the formation of the partnership with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to develop the Texas Rivers Center.

Interim President 1988 – 1989

Executive Vice President 1984 – 1988

Provided leadership to the areas of Athletics, Affirmation Action, Internal Audit, Legal Affairs, Planning and Institutional Research, and University Policy; monitored presidential assignments to vice presidents and chaired the Vice President’ Council; completed special project assigned by the President including formation of the SWT/City of San Marcos Liaison Council and the coordination of the move of Athletics from NCAA Division II to NCAA Division I-AA.

Executive Assistant to the President 1983 – 1984

Provided leadership to the area of Planning and Institutional Research; monitored presidential assignments to vice presidents; completed special projects assigned by the President.

Deputy Vice President for Finance and Management 1982 – 1983

Provided leadership to the areas of Computing Services, Planning and Institutional Research; monitored vice presidential assignments to directors.

Associate Vice President for Planning and Management 1980 – 1982

Provided leadership to the areas of Computing Services, Planning and Institutional Research.

Director, Planning and Analysis 1976 - 1980

Created the Office of Planning and Analysis; provided planning support and institutional research to executive management; developed campus space planning model and coordinated development of the initial campus master plan.

State Board for Technical and Comprehensive Education
Columbia, South Carolina

Director, Research and Education 1973 – 1976

Responsible for institutional research and assessment in support of statewide planning for the two-year, technical college system; developed and implemented a space planning and allocation model for the system.

Coordinating Board, Texas College and University System
Austin, Texas

Director, Management Information Systems 1971 – 1973

Responsible for the statewide reporting process maintained by the Coordinating Board; coordinated the development of the Coordinating Board’s management information system.

National Laboratory for Higher Education
Durham, North Carolina

Research Associate 1969 - 1971

Assisted in the development of (1) a student information system for colleges and universities; (2) a strategic planning model for colleges and universities; and (3) a student flow model for colleges and universities.

Bellcomm, Inc., Washington, D.C.

Systems Development Analyst 1967 – 1969

Provided computer systems support to researchers developing trajectory scenarios for the Apollo mission.

Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois

System Analyst 1964 – 1967

Provided design and computer programming support for the development of a student information system.

Related Activities:

Consultant to numerous colleges and universities on strategic planning and the development of comprehensive information systems.

Board member of the Sunshine Kids Foundation and local coordinator of the Foundation’s annual Texas Hill Country Adventure.

University liaison to the Special Olympics of Texas and Co-Director of the Special Olympics of Texas Summer Games, 1989-1991; 2003-2005.

Personal Information:
      Married to Mary Louise (Lulu) Abbott
      Two daughters:  Remi Ratliff, an attorney, and Amanda Abbott, a news reporter
      Two step-sons:  Lance Wright, an elementary school teacher, and Michael Wright, a production manager
      Five grandchildren:  Caroline, Allyson, and Jacob, Harrison, and Lauren